Major initiative for aircraft connector market

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 1 October 2000

86

Keywords

Citation

(2000), "Major initiative for aircraft connector market", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772ead.011

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited


Major initiative for aircraft connector market

Major initiative for aircraft connector market

Keywords Tyco Electronics AMP, Connectors, Aircraft industry

Tyco Electronics AMP has announced a major initiative in the supply of standard rack and panel connectors for aircraft, shipping and military applications. The company informs us that it has not only reduced the expected lead time of its latest generation ARINC 600 products (Plate 3) from the (typical) industry standard of 12-14 weeks to only ten days, but has also eliminated the requirement of a minimum order quantity. The development is expected to be greatly welcomed by the industry.

Plate 3 The ARINC 600 range of connectors now available from Tyco Electronics AMP

The company believes that, by becoming the first to hold ARINC 600 piece parts, it can cost-effectively meet extremely tight delivery deadlines and, in some circumstances, can provide same-day specification to delivery. Because the company holds one of the widest ranges of parts in the industry, it can supply most known product variations.

Fully assembled in the UK, the new AMP range is stated to be fully compliant with the ARINC 600 specification, which claims significant improvements over the ARINC 404. ARINC 600 connectors, for example, feature reduced mating forces and increased numbers of contacts in housings proportional to thinner black-box shapes together with front released contacts. The connectors are said to capitalise on design features which, while maintaining intermateability, enable contact inserts to be easily field replaceable and manufactured to precise tolerances so that when they are installed they are within 0.006 (0.15) of true position.

Available in three industry standard shell sizes and featuring a stainless steel keying system, the ARINC 600 products reportedly provide sufficient lateral movement before mating, making it possible for multi-ARINC applications and impossible to attach the wrong box in restricted access environments. AMP's limited weight design also allows banks of connectors to be present without affecting overall performance.

AMP contacts for ARINC 600 connectors are applied with standard crimping tools, and automatic crimping equipment is available for higher productivity and lower applied costs. By fitting specially designed, interchangeable contacts as standard the connectors are believed to have reduced mating forces and the coaxial contacts are crimp applied for reliable, solder-free installation.

Details available from Tyco Electronics. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8 420 8256.

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